Top 10 Premier League saves of 2017

Cech was at his imperious best in keeping Salah out
Cech was at his imperious best in keeping Salah out

The year of 2017 in Premier League was full of surprises and shocks in equal measure. It was also the one that was packed with some amazing goals that truly took our breath away.

However, the English top-flight also witnessed some disarming moments of skill from the goalkeepers whilst trying to stop one; certain saves that weren't only pivotal in the match, but reeked top-drawer quality in pulling it off.

Whilst we've seen such eye-catching scenes several times throughout the year, we whittle it down to just 10.


#10 Petr Cech (Arsenal vs Liverpool)

What hasn't been written about the Czech Republic star that we wouldn't know already? The former Chelsea stalwart remains one of the best goalkeepers in the league despite his age and was certainly at it again when Liverpool threw the kitchen sink.

On matchday three this season, when the Reds demolished the Gunners in a 4-0 romp, Cech produced one of the few moments to savor for the beleaguered visitors with this fine save when Salah came calling.

As Emre Can laid out a pass across the face of the goal, Cech's brilliant vision allowed him to time his leap to perfection and smother Salah's chance.

Even though Arsenal was thrashed by a counter-attacking masterclass from Liverpool, Cech was proved to be the sole bright spot on an otherwise grim Gunners outfit.

#9 Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea vs Newcastle United)

Lukasz Fabianski
Lukasz Fabianski displayed amazing reflexes to make the save

The 2017/18 season has been a disaster for the Swans; they are back in the relegation mix and are languishing at the bottom of the table.

Amid all the mess and muddle, Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski sparked a moment of inspiration during a league game against the newly promoted Newcastle United this season.

With both sides flying out of the blocks for a strong start, the Magpies tested the Swans defence once again as Matt Ritchie whipped a ball into the box that Joselu leapt the highest to meet. It was on target, only to be parried wide by the brilliance of Fabianski.

The Pole was at full stretch to hand it off the line, as he produced an outstanding stop to keep the tie deadlocked at 0-0.

#8 Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea vs Manchester City)

Thibaut Cortois doing just Thibaut Courtois stuff against Manchester City to deny Fernandinho
Thibaut Cortois doing just Thibaut Courtois things against Manchester City to deny Fernandinho

The towering Belgian took no time to establish himself in the Premier League since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2014. In three-and-a-half seasons now with the Blues, Courtois has already done enough to be hailed as one of the best in the business at the moment.

If there are any lingering doubts, then this nerve-jangling save against Manchester City should dispel the same without much fuss.

Kevin De Bruyne whipped a corner into the area which Fernandinho firmly headed on target, but Courtois' quick reflexes meant he was able to palm it away and avert any sort of danger.

Courtois showed great strength and resolve in repelling it which otherwise could have found the back of the net.

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#7 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham vs Bournemouth)

Hugo Lloris
A tense moment in the box ends with Lloris scurrying the ball just off the line

Whilst the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Ali and Christian Eriksen normally walk away with all the plaudits, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris has been just as important, if not more, to the side's transformation into a title contender under Mauricio Pochettino.

This one save against Bournemouth in October couldn't have testified it more.

As the Cherries looked to have Tottenham by their numbers, a corner-kick deflected off a player of their own. But Lloris, at his reflexive best, parried it off the line to deny the visitors.

Bournemouth dominated an uncharacteristically sloppy Tottenham for large parts of the opening 45 minutes. But this particular save from the Frenchman was the fine-line that prevented them from taking a shock lead at Wembley.

#6 Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City vs West Ham)

Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel maintained composure to block a dangerous shot from Andy Carroll

The Leicester City shot-stopper has been one of the few shining lights in his side this year; one of the more consistent performers in a year that wasn't anything to write home about for the Foxes.

An instrumental figure in Leicester's fairy tale triumph last year, Schmeichel rolled back the calendar with this stunning save against West Ham in injury time.

In a set-piece free-kick, Robert Snodgrass tried to go the distance himself, but inadvertently landed the ball at Andy Carroll's feat, who tried to poke home from close range but saw it repelled by the Dane with an impressive reaction parry.

The save proved to be pivotal as Leicester held on to win 3-2 at the Olympic Stadium, continuing their upward surge under then-manager Craig Shakespeare.

#5 Asmir Begovic (Bournemouth vs Arsenal)

Asmir Begovic
Asmir Begovic denies an amazing free-kick goal from Mesut Ozil

Having endured difficult times at Chelsea where he was eventually deemed surplus to their requirements, Asmir Begovic is on a mission to redeem himself. Currently plying his trade at Bournemouth, the Bosnian international is finding his footing again.

And the 30-year old pulled an absolute blinder of a save against Arsenal that shows he's still got it. Just minutes after conceding the opener, Begovic denied a quick second for the hosts when he leapt to get his hand to a wonderfully struck free-kick by Mesut Ozil for a corner, which otherwise, was a clear effort on target.

Although the shot wasn't completely out of his reach, Begovic showed great aplomb in this terrific piece of goalkeeping.

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#4 David De Gea (Manchester United vs Liverpool)

David De Gea
David De Gea produced another instinctive save against Liverpool to deny Matip

The Spaniard has time and again reminded us of his outrageous talent and why he’s one of the best to have graced the Premier League. Against Liverpool in October, De Gea was at his prolific best once again when denying Joel Matip from close range.

The Reds picked out Manchester United as acres of space on the left flank allowed Roberto Firmino to dart into it and set up Matip. The defender latched on to it for a brilliant effort on target, but De Gea stretched out his left leg to deny an opener for the hosts.

In a closely contested game that it was, both sides ended sharing the spoils in a goalless draw. But had it not been for De Gea in goal, United would have surely had their tails between their legs.

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#3 Simon Mignolet (Liverpool vs Stoke City)

Simon Mignolet
Simon Mignolet thwarted Sadio Berahino in a crucial moment of the game

The Belgian’s resurgence as a fine goalkeeper is well documented. In a year that was quite up-and-down for Mignolet, this one moment from last season stands out from the rest.

As the Reds fought back from a goal down to race into a 2-1 lead, hosts Stoke City sought to riposte, and Marko Arnautovic picked out an ambushing Saido Berahino completely unmarked.

He tried to tap in the equalizer but Mignolet pulled off a mind-blowing save with his knees at point-blank range to deny the Potters a point at the death.

It was one of the quickest reactions one would see this year; a truly impressive display of goalkeeping reflexes as Mignolet served a timely reminder of his reliability and astuteness in front of goal.

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#2 Hugo Lloris (Tottenham vs Liverpool)

Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris lit up the cauldron of Wembley with a remarkable save

Tottenham Hotspur, for all their fearsome attacking pelt, have shown tendency to come a cropper at the back this season. Even if the issue was dealt with against Liverpool in the 4-1 thumping earlier in the campaign, it threatened to resurface. But thanks to the goalkeeping brilliance of Lloris, Spurs had their backs covered.

As Philippe Coutinho evaded a stream of white shirts by shimmying across the face of the goal, he then attempted a vicious shot from just outside the box. Lloris threw himself up to palm the effort away for a corner in what was an outstanding piece of skill from him.

The venom with which the ball glided goalwards would have left any other keeper stranded on his feet, baffled at what just happened. But Lloris isn't any other keeper, is he?

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#1 David De Gea (Manchester United vs Arsenal)

David De Gea
David De Gea makes a fine double-save to frustrate Arsenal

Him again! And it was when Manchester United rang in the festive month of December with an incredible 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates.

Although Jesse Lingard hogged most of the limelight for his heroics, a look at De Gea’s double-save in the match would force you to re-think.

As Alexander Lacazette outfoxed the United defence, the Frenchman then smacked an effort on goal to which the United keeper was quick to respond to. However, it wasn't cleared and a sprinting Sanchez then latched on to the loose ball to score from close range, only for De Gea to make an immaculate save yet again, this time with his foot outstretched.

Two quick stops in succession left the Gunners gutted, but it was just another day in the office for the De Gea.

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